A fine Kashan bowl with stylised leaf motifs and inscriptions, Persia, early 13th century

of shallow form with flaring walls and flattened rim on a low foot, decorated in two shades of underglaze cobalt blue with black under a transparent colourless glaze, with six black ribbon bands radiating outwards from the centre, each with a line of cursive script, the interstices with large palmette motifs formed from split-leaves issuing upwards towards the rim, the back with sprays of waterweed

ex-Croisier Collection, Switzerland

Céramiques Islamiques dans les collections Genevoises, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1981.
Treasures of Islam, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, 1985.
Céramiques du Monde Musulman, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 1999.
Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From the Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Céramiques Islamiques dans les collections Genevoises, Geneva, 1981, p.46, no.70.
Treasures of Islam, Geneva, 1985, p.232, no.232.
Céramiques du Monde Musulman, Paris, 1999, p.115.
O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics from The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, p.98, no.56.

complete but with breaks and associated repair, minor patches of iridescence, glaze with craquelure, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions
dar bagh-e eram sarv-e sahi bari to/
gar bar del o jan dagh nahi bari to
gar zank-e/ be-niku’I kasi laf zanad
ey nur-e do dideh …. [bari to]/

‘In the garden of Paradise, the upright cypress is you
If you, only you put a mark on [my] heart and soul
If anyone boasts of the beauty of it
O the light of the two eyes .... [only you]’

goftam ey bota kojast … negahat?
rah suy-e to …/
gofta … bovad ruz ze …/
goftam dar arezu-ye ruy-e ch mahat/

‘I said O Beloved, where is .... of your glance
The path towards you ...
She said: ... the day would be ...
I said: in the desire of your moon-like face’